Permit No. MICA (P) 125/07/2014 OCT DEC 2014 Religious Advisors: Ven B Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera Ven Mahinda Maha Thera Resident Religious Advisor: Ven K Dhammika Maha Thera Resident Monk Ven Chandima Patrons: Mr. & Mrs. Tan Beng Lew Kathina Chivara Puja Ceremony of 2014 at SBM Dear devotees, brothers and sisters and friends, Singapore Buddhist Mission is going to celebrate Kathina Puja Ceremony of 2014 on 2 nd of November in this year. Bhantes have been observing Vassana Retreat since the full moon of July and they will continue the practice until the full moon of October 2014. We are conducting special religious services during this Vassana period and devotees are participating in the activities with faith. After three months of the observation of Vassana retreat, Kathina Chivara puja is taken place as one of most celebrative event at all the Theravada Buddhist temples around the world. The etymological meaning of kathina can be given as indestructible, unshakable, immovable or pure. Therefore, the merit which is obtained after offering a Kathina Chivara bears such a great quality. So, it is the greatest offering among all the offerings in the Theravada Buddhist tradition; hence the merit one acquires through it is the foremost among all the other merits. However, whatever requisites are given to the Sangha at this particular ceremony comes under the offering of the kathina robe. On behalf of Singapore Buddhist Mission, I would like to invite all our devotees to come and participate the Kathina Chivara Puja Ceremony on the above mentioned day. The merit that you accumulate always becomes your spiritual inheritance and protector. By the power of this merit may all of you be blessed with good health,happiness, peace, prosperity and longevity! Bhante Kongala Dhammika MONTHLY DHAMMA TALKS Every Thursday 8pm -9.30pm: Chanting- 9 virtues of the Buddha and Meditation By Ven Dhammika LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH 8-9.30PM Bodhi puja by Ven Dhammika Every Sunday 10.30 to 11.30am Buddha Puja, Chanting and Dhamma Talk. Every New Moon and Full Moon 8pm- 9.30pm Buddha Puja and Chanting of Dhamma Cakka Pavattana Sutta SBM ACTIVITIES 1 st Sun of every month 10.30am-11.30am Dhamma talk- by Ven Dr. Chandawimala 2 nd Sun of every month 1pm to 3pm Dhamma talk by Ven Chuan Guan 3rd Sun of every month 1pm 3pm Sutta Discussion by Bro Piya Tan 4th Sun of every month 12.30pm 2pm Members & Devotees sharing of experiences in our daily practices. VASSA 3 months Raining Retreat Start from 17 Jul to 8 Oct 14 nightly (Mon to Sat) from 8pm to 9.30pm SBM SPECIAL PRAYERS Goddess of Mercy Renunciation Day Prayers Sunday, 12 Oct 14 10.30am 11.30am Healing Buddha Birthday Prayers Sunday 19 th Oct 14 10.30 am 11.30am Kathina Robe Offering Day Sunday, 2 nd Nov 14 9am 12pm SBM Youth Ehi-passiko Camp 2014 19 th 22 nd Dec. For youth 12yrs and above Prayers ushering of New Year 2015 31 st Dec 2014 10.30pm 1 st Jan New Year 2015 at 10.00am Blessings. 1
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Dhamma, Editorial Notes Gratitude is one of the greatest virtues of our Lord Buddha. When he had realized the truth, Lord Buddha sat facing the Great Bodhi Tree for 7 days and nights in gratitude for the shelter it provided him from the elements during his critical moments to enlightenment. Over the last 6 months, Ven Bhante Dhammika & Ven Chandima together with SBM General Committee, members and devotees meticulously planned for an all night chanting on 30 th - 31 st Aug 14 in memory of our Late Chiefs, Ven Dr. K.Sri Dhammananda, Ven Dr. K. Anuruddha and Religious advisor, Ven Dr. Mapalagama Wipulasara. Members and devotees have also taken the opportunity on this auspicious occasion to participate in memory of their departed relatives and friends. Just as we remembered our departed teachers and relatives and friends, it is also important that we remember the living Dhamma teachers ( MahaSangha) in this auspicious Kathina Day celebration. We can offer robes and requisites to the MahaSangha who guide us towards the path of purification. Likewise, we can also show appreciation and gratitude to parents, husband, wife and love ones by offering Kathina robes or requisites to the MahaSangha and share the merits accrued to them. May all be well and happy. General Committee, Singapore Buddhist Mission. KATHINA DAY PROGRAMME Sunday, 2 nd of November -2014 9.00 a.m. Procession from Opal Crescent to SBM main Shrine Hall 9.30 a.m. Buddha Puja 10.00 a.m. Kathina Ceremony 10.15 a.m. Welcoming Speech by Religious Adviser, Ven. K. Dhammika 10.30 a.m. Offering of Kathina-Chivara by Brother by Vice President, brother Leo Ann Jwee 10.45 a.m. Offering of Robes and Requisites 11.00 a.m. Special blessing chanting by the MahaSangha 11.30 a.m. Dana for the MahaSangha 12.00 p.m. Lunch for Devotees SBM Newsletter Oct-Dec14 2
One of the last messages published in the most Venerable, Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera s book >>>WHERE IS THE BUDDHA?<<< If I say that the Buddha is living in any part of the universe in physical form it is against the teachings of Buddha. On the other hand if I say that the Buddha is not living in any part of the Universe in physical form many people are not very happy because they have craving for existing which cannot be satisfied. Therefore they say it is nothingness. It is not nothingness; it is the ending of physical and Mental suffering and experiencing Nirvanic bliss or salvation. On the other hand there are some people who really need the physical form of the image of the Buddha to calm their Mind, reduce their tension and fear and worries. However, it is not right for us to say the Buddha is living or not. If the doctrine or the teaching of the Buddha is available for us to experience peace, satisfaction in our life that is more than enough for us. The Buddha has given us the right to think freely to understand whether something is wrong using our common sense or reasoning for us to understand the real nature of thing that come into existing. On the other hand there is nothing in any part of the universe which exists without extinguishing because all these are the combination of elements, mental energies and karmic energies. Therefore it is impossible for these energies and elements or mental energies, karmic energies to remain forever without changing. If you can understand this, then the teachings of the Buddha will help you to understand how to face your problems and difficulties, to overcome our unsatisfactoriness. Otherwise, we will have to face physical and mental suffering, unsatisfactoriness and disappointment. We have to act wisely to get rid of our problems. It is difficult for us to get rid of our problems. It is difficult for us to get rid of our suffering simply by praying, worshipping to anybody but through understanding the nature of our problems and difficulties and the cause of our problems and difficulties, we will be able to get rid of such problems. Many people asked, where did the Buddha go? If people say he has gone to nirvana then they think Nirvana is a place. Nirvana is not a place; it is a mental state for us to achieve to experience our final salvation. We cannot say that Buddha has gone somewhere or Buddha is existing but he experiences the Nirvanic bliss or the final goal in life. So the best answer to the question Where is the Buddha? is >>>>>>> THE BUDDHA IS IN YOUR MIND WHICH HAS REALISED THE ULTIMATE TRUTH. SBM Newsletter Oct-Dec 14 3
Last Recorded Message from Late Chief Dr. Kakkapalliye Anuruddha Nayaka Maha Thera My dear bros and sis of SBM, As you all know, we all are Buddhist. What does it mean? It means we are following the Buddha s way. Which is constituted of 2 important factors. That is Knowledge and Heart. Both of these should be combined together. It alleviates our human qualities. Quality of humanity is inculcated within oneself. What is important for mankind is not hatred, jealousy or any other ill characteristics but human love We can love humanity if both these characteristics are combine together. That is, Knowledge and heart. It makes us perfect. That person is call BUDDHA. Therefore please remember, whatever we know, please combine it with your heart. Heart is the centre of compassion. Knowledge is centre with the Mind. So both these two should be combined together in order to make a human being perfect. Buddha is a perfect man. Arahants are perfected people. They perfected themselves because of these two qualities which they applied in their daily activities. That is what we call Dhamma. The Buddha s way for the service to Mankind. Recorded on 20 th July 2013 The message of our late Religious Advisor Ven. Dr. Mapalagama Wipulasara Nayaka Maha Thera Despite being far away from us in Sri Lanka, we are always very appreciative of our late Religious Advisor, Ven. Dr. M Wipulasara who presented this specially sculptured perfect Buddha Image for SBM main shrine hall. It is a constant reminder to all of us of our ever smiling and compassionate Lord Buddha. SBM Newsletter Oct - Dec 14 4
All night chanting offerings SBM Newsletter Oct-Dec14 5
Venerables with the Golden Voices. Ven Buddhasiri (L) Ven Dhammarama )R) All night prayers SBM Newsletter OCT-Dec 14 6
YOUTH CORNER SINGAPORE BUDDHIST MISSION 9 RUBY LANE SINGAPORE 328284 TEL: 62997216 CHEQUES PAYABLE TO SINGAPORE BUDDHIST MISSION MATTHEW (92275815)] [XINYI (98223031)] [CEP@SBMYOUTH.ORG] [HTTP://CEP.SBMYOUTH.ORG] 19TH TO 22ND DECEMBER AGES 12 AND ABOVE $75 (BEFORE OCT) $85 SBM Newsletter Oct Dec 14 7
For office use only Receipt No. dated To: The Hon Treasurer Singapore Buddhist Mission 9 Ruby Lane Singapore 328284 I am / we are pleased to enclose $ Cheque No. / Money Order No. ) for the following purpose: S/N DONATIONS AMOUNT S$ Goddess of Mercy Renunciation Day Prayers Sunday, 12 Oct 14 10.30am 11.30am Lotus candle - $10/- per lotus For Blessings and separately for Transfer of Merits (TOM) Healing Buddha Birthday Prayers. Sunday 19 th Oct 14 10.30 am 11.30am Lotus candle - $10/- per lotus For Blessings and separately fro Transfer of Merits (TOM 1. Kathina Robe Offering Day -Sunday, 2 nd Nov 14 9am 12pm Robe offering to Maha Sangha per robe - $ 60/- Requisites offering - $30/- Dana for Maha Sangha are welcome. SBM Youth Ehi-passiko Camp 2014-19 th 22 nd Dec. For youth 12yrs Per participant - $85. Sponsorship in helping cultivating, development and guiding Buddhist will be much appreciated. For more details and contact see www.sbmyouth.blogspot.com 2. DANA FUND (Monthly / Quarterly / Half Yearly / Yearly ) @ $20 and above 3. Youth Group Development Fund 4. Membership Subscription ($30) for Year 2014. Conversion to Life M ship is subject to approval of GC ($300)- 5. Publication of Buddhist Books/Newsletter/Internet Platform etc. 6. Buddha Image In Memory of Departed Relatives and Friends - $1,000.00 each 7. 8. Building Fund To expand our facility in order to accommodate increasing Youth activities. Dear members and friends, in our effort to do our part for the environment, we shall start downloading our July Sept Issue to our website at http://www.singaporebuddhistmission.org. For those who wish to receive in soft copy, you may write to us at enquiry@singaporebuddhistmission.net. Name: Address: Mr/Mrs/Mdm/Dr /Miss/Ms Total Tel No: (R) (O) (HP) E-mail Address: Occupation: Please make out your cheque(s) payable to SINGAPORE BUDDHIST MISSION. Please do not send cash by post. Publisher: Singapore Buddhist Mission, Tel No: 62997216 Fax No: 62942701 (Website: http://www.singaporebuddhistmission.org or www.sbmyouth.blogspot.com) Printer: VIVA LITHOGRAPHERS PTE LTD. SBM Newsletter Oct - Dec 14 8